The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St George Delegation of Great Britain and Ireland

Duke of Bragança honours the Duke of Castro with highest dynastic decoration. Lisbon - December 2002.

His Royal Highness Dom Duarte, Duke of Bragança (left) and Head of the Royal House of Portugal has bestowed the Grand Cross of the Order of The Conception of Vila Viçosa on HRH The Duke of Castro (below).

This is the highest decoration pertaining to the Royal House of Portugal and is rarely bestowed. The Duke of Bragança, who resides in Portugal, was incested as a Knight of the pre-eminent Royal Order of Saint Januarius and as a Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Justice with Collar of the Constantinian Order, on the occasion of his marriage in May 1995, by order of HRH the Duke of Castro.

Constantinian Order features on Monaco stamps issued to mark the 1700th Anniversary of St George. Monte Carlo – December 2002.

To commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the death of Saint George, (303-2003), the Principality of Monaco issued a special stamp on 1 December 2002. The classic stamp portrays the statue of Saint George donated by the Constantinian Order and currently on display in the Cathedral of Monaco. The stamp design also includes the striking Cross of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.

The stamp’s launch event took place at the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo during the international stamp exhibition MonacoPhil 2002 which was held under the Patronage of HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco. His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, launched the Saint George stamp. HRH The Duchess of Calabria and British and Irish delegation member Peter Jennings attended.

The Italian Republic and Gibraltar are also commemorating St George’s 1,700 years with their own special postage stamps to be issued on 23 April 2003 - the Feast of George. Together with the Monaco stamp they will be collected by philatelists and non-collectors worldwide and help to raise interest and awareness of the Constantinian Order of St George.

Duke and Duchess of Calabria attend traditional Christmas Mass in Naples and make substantial donation to earthquake victims. Naples – December 2002.

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria attended Mass shortly before Christmas at the Basilica of Santa Chiara in Naples, which was celebrated by His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order. During the solemn mass His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, presented the President of the Molise Region and the Mayor of San Giuliano, whom himself lost a daughter in the

earthquake that struck the town, with a charitable donation of €50,000.

During the visit Their Royal Highnesses visited pupils at the Institute Santa Patrizia in Central Naples, which cares for the needy children in the city. The Constantinian Order once again made a donation to the Mother Superior of the institute.

Order hosts charity concert for the earthquake victims of Molise. Molise – December 2002.

The Constantinian Order of Saint George organised a charity concert in aid of the victims of the Molise earthquake of 30 October 2002, which claimed the lives of 29 children. The concert, organised by the Order’s delegation in Abruzzi, was held at the Talia Theatre (formerly Ferdinando II Theatre) and the classical concert was performed by leading composer and Maestro Stelvio Cipriani.

Duke of Calabria and Grand Prior Cardinal Pompedda attend Autumn Festival for the Elderly in Lombardy. Lombardy – November 2002.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, as Grand Prefect, and His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the Constantinian Order, attended an Autumn Festival of music for the elderly. The concert, which was held in the presence of over 1300 elderly men and women, was organised by the Constantinian Order’s delegation in Lombard. Among the high level officials attending were Dr Gabriele Albertini, Mayor of Milan and Constantinian knight, Dr Vincenzo Boncoraglio, Chief Superintendent of the city of Milan, Air Vice-Marshal Giulio Mainini and Brigadier General Maurizio Scoppa. The music was performed by the Band of the Carabinieri.

During the event, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, also held talks with the Reverend Father Dimitri Fantini, Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in Milan.

The Duchess of Calabria joins HM Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan at Rome fundraiser for the World Wildlife Fund. Rome - October 2002.

The Duchess of Calabria joined Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan at a major fundraising event in Rome to raise funds for sustaining and preserving more than 200 threatened habitats across the world. Queen Rania is one of the founding patrons of the “Global 200 Eco-regions of the World Wildlife Fund.

Queen Rania spoke of the efforts being made in Jordan to protect local and regional eco-systems, and of the Dana Reserve that has “been called the world's most successful example of sustainable eco-development, linking environment protection with local socio-economic programmes.”

The Duchess of Calabria agreed to play an active role in raising awareness throughout Italy of the importance of nature conservation and in influencing decision makers to make this issue a priority.

Founded in 1961 by a group of scientists, naturalists, business and political leaders, the WWF — known worldwide by its panda logo — is dedicated to protecting the world's wildlife and wild lands through securing funds for conservation programmes around the world. The WWF works closely with major international conservation organisations such the World Conservation Union and The Conservation Foundation.

The Duke of Calabria visits the United States of America and presides over 2002 investiture. Washington DC - October 2002.

The Grand Prefect of the dynastic orders of the Royal House of Bourbon Two Sicilies, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria paid a three-day visit to the USA from 17-20 October 2002 as the guest of the Order’s United States Delegation.

During the visit The Duke of Calabria undertook a number of engagements including a charity gala dinner attended by delegation knights and dames at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Centre in the American capital.

The Duke of Calabria also visited St Patrick’s Church – the oldest parish church in Washington DC which was founded in 1794 for use by the workmen building the White House and the Capitol. His Royal Highness, together with the Prior of the United States delegation, His Eminence Theodore, Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, presided over the 2002 investiture ceremony. Among the knights and dames invested or promoted were the Archbishop of Milwaukee, the Archbishop of Newark, the Chief Military Chaplain to the United States Armed Forces, Archbishop Edwin O’Brien and His Eminence, James, Cardinal Stafford, President of the Papal Council for Laymen.

HE Mr David Garrison, Delegate of the Constantinian Order in the United States, was also awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Francis I by order of the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Castro.

The Duchess of Calabria and HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark jointly hold charity event for the Olave Baden Powell Association. Rome – October 2002.

HRH The Duchess of Calabria(left), together with HRH Princess Benedikte(left), sister of HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, jointly hosted a charity event at the Hotel Hassler in Rome for the Olave Baden Powell Association. Princess Benedikte of Denmark is the worldwide Patron of the Association and The Duchess of Calabria is Patron of the Association in Italy. The Olave Baden Powell Association is a leading international organisation offering worldwide educational assistance to young people.

Numerous state and Order officials attended the joint event including HE Count Jacques de Liedekerke, Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, HE The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark, Bjarne Bladbjerg, and over sixty other leading personalities.

Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte of Denmark was subsequently invested by His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria as a Dame Grand Cross of Royal Order of Francis I in recognition of her charitable work.

Constantinian Order organises a pilgrimage to the tomb of Saint Pio da Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotondo. Rome and San Giovanni Rotondo - September 2002.

The Constantinian Order headed by TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria and Grand Prior, His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, sponsored and led a group of disabled children on a pilgrimage to the tomb of St Pio da Pietrelcina. The Saint, who is more commonly known as Padre Pio, was canonised by Pope John Paul II in June 2002. Many knights and dames of the Constantinian Order participated in this pilgrimage by offering hospitaller assistance to the group of disabled children.

The spiritual and recreational weekend commenced with a prayer session at the Church of Saint George of Velabro in central Rome before departing for San Giovanni Rotondo where many officials attended a prayer vigil.

The following day TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria and His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda visited many of the participants on the pilgrimage and especially the sick and disabled. The well-known Italian actor Remo Girone addressed the group with a speech on the last moments of Padre Pio.

A Solemn Celebration of Mass was held in the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, presided over by the Order’s Grand Prior, Cardinal Pompedda, and in the presence of many state, municipal, Vatican, Constantinian Order and military officials.

Celebration to mark Saint Januarius, and the inauguration of the Order’s new secretariat in Naples. Naples – September 2002.

On the Feast Day of Saint Januarius, the Bishop and Martyr and Patron Saint of Naples, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria, took part in the traditional activities associated with the Liquidation of the Blood held at Naples Cathedral in the presence of the Cardinal Archbishop of Naples and Constantinian Order Bailiff, Cardinal Michele Giordano.

Following the mass, Their Royal Highnesses inaugurated the Conceptual complex of Santa Maria La Nova which includes a new operational secretariat in the city of the Constantinian Order. This new centre will play a leading role in co-ordinating charitable and humanitarian activities across southern Italy.

International celebration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. September 2002.

Constantinian Order delegations across the world celebrated the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14 September 2002. Order celebrations and masses were held in the cities of New York, Houston, Washington DC and Chicago as well as in Lombardy, Italy.

Constantinian Knight Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves dies. Vatican City - September 2002.

It is with much regret that the Grand Magistry of the Constantinian Order announces the death of His Eminence Lucas Moreira Cardinal Neves, OP, a Bailiff Knight Grand Cross of Justice.

Cardinal Lucas Moreira Neves, Archbishop Emeritus of São Salvador da Bahia, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Bishops and President Emeritus of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, was born on 16 September 1925 in São Joao del Rei, Brazil. He entered the Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) when he was very young, pursuing his philosophical studies from 1945 to 1947. After his solemn religious profession on 7 March 1948 he was sent to Var in France to study theology at the École Teologique de Saint Maximin. He was ordained a priest on 9 July 1950.

Returning to Brazil in January 1952, he became a teacher to the novitiates and to the students, then chaplain to the students of São Paulo. In 1954 Cardinal Moreira Neves was transferred to Rio de Janeiro and nominated director of the review Mensagero do Santo Rosario, until 1962. Cardinal Moreira Neves was chaplain to the university students of Rio from 1954 to 1959, chaplain to the Christian Family Movement from 1959 to 1965, and responsible for the religious formation within the conference of Brazilian religions.

On 9 June 1967 he was nominated Auxiliary Archbishop of São Paulo, and elected titular Bishop of Feradi Maggiore. On 26 August His late Eminence received Episcopal ordination in his native city. As Bishop, he also served as chaplain to the Christian Family Movement of Latin America and was responsible for the Laity and for Social Action and Social Communications of the Bishops’ Conference. He was a delegate of the Brazilian Bishops to the II General Conference of the Latin American Bishops in Medellin (1968).

In 1972 he was nominated consultor of the Consilium de Laicis, and in the following year made a member of the Committee for the Family. On 7 March 1974 he was nominated Vice President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and participated in the February 1979 III General Conference of Latin American Bishops in Pueblo.

On 15 October 1979, His Holiness Pope John Paul II nominated him Secretary of the Congregation for Bishops, promoting him at the same time to Archbishop. He was also member of the Pontifical Councils of Justice and Peace, Pastoral Care of Migrants and Tourism, and Pontifical Commission for Latin America as well as consultor to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and the Pontifical Committee for the International Eucharistic Congresses. On 3 January 1987 he was transferred to the titular see of Vescovio and in July of the same year appointed Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia.

Created and proclaimed a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope John Paul II in the consistory on 28 June 1988, he was later transferred to the order of cardinal bishops on 25 June 1998, suburbicarian see of Sabina-Poggio. Cardinal Moreira Neves was Archbishop of São Salvador da Bahia and Primate of Brazil until 25 June 1998 when His Holiness Pope John Paul II nominated him Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

USA Delegation of Constantinian Order fund educational weekend for young people. New Mexico – July 2002.

The Delegation of the Constantinian Order in the United States of America, in conjunction with the National Catholic Boy’s Scouts Committee, organised a ‘Pathway to Saint George’ weekend for young people from many American dioceses. The Order’s US Delegation headed by, David Garrison, and many other American knights and dames of the Order, participated in the weekend which included recreation activities, as well as spiritual and prayer sessions.

Duke of Calabria and Cardinal Pompedda granted honorary citizenship by the Mayor of Pescina. Pescina dei Marsi – July 2002.

The Duke of Calabria and the Grand Prior, Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, visited Pescina dei Marsi and participated in the 400th anniversary of the birth in the town of the late Cardinal Giulio Raimondo Marrazrine, Minister of King Louis XIV of France. To mark the occasion His Royal Highness, as descendant of the late French King, and Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, were awarded honorary citizenships of the town at a ceremony held in the municipal building.

Duke and Duchess of Calabria and Grand Prior Cardinal Pompedda pay visit to Abruzzi and Molise, Italy and receive the keys of the City. L’Aquila - July 2002.

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria and His Eminence, Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order and Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic See visited the city of L’Aquila and undertook official engagements on behalf of the Order’s delegation to Abruzzi and Molise. During this visit, mass was given and an investiture ceremony of new knights and dames took place. Funds were also raised during the various events for the poor and needy in the area.

The Honourable Biagio Tempesta and the entire Municipal Council were later present during the presentation to the Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria, of the keys of the city of L’Aquila. The City’s banner was in turn decorated with the Gold Benemerenti Medal of the Constantinian Order. His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria later called on the Honourable Giovanni Pace, President of the Government of the Abruzzi Region.

During the investiture ceremony, the Very Reverend Giuseppe Molinari, Archbishop of L’Aquila, the President of the Region, the Honourable Giovanni Pace, Mayor the Honourable Biagio Tempesta were among numerous state, religious, military and municipal officials invested into the Constantinian Order.

High-level official Rome launch of new history book of the Grand Magistry of the Constantinian Order. Rome – July 2002.

In the prestigious setting of Palazzo Spada, seat of the Council of State of the Italian Republic, TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria and HE Professor Alberto de Roberto, President of the State Council launched a new book on the history of the Constantinian Order of Saint George.

‘Il Gran Magistero del Sacro Militare Ordine Costantiniano di San Giorgio’ was written by Professor Ettore Gallo, Honorary President of the Constitutional Court of the Italian Republic who died shortly after completing his work. The new 200 page book, which will be published in English shortly, is the most up to date and comprehensive study of the Grand Magistry of the Constantinian Order and its unique historic and contemporary role in Italy, as well as internationally.

A conference was held alongside the official presentation of the book and included speeches by His Eminence, Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prefect of the Constantinian Order and Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic See. Other speakers included HE Professor Alberto de Roberto, President of the State Council, HE Professor Aldo Pezzana Capranica del Grillo, Grand Chancellor of the Constantinian Order, HE Professor Pasquale de Lise, Departmental President of the State Council, Professor Fulco Lancshester, Rector of Political Science at the University of Rome, and leading Vatican expert Dr Alceste Santini.

Also attending this important event was former President of the Italian Republic, HE Senator Francesco Cossiga, who was invested with the Collar of the Constantinian Order in 1985, whilst Head of State of Italy.

United States Ambassador to the Holy See Invested into Constantinian Order. Rome - April 2002.

The newly appointed Ambassador of the United States of America to the Holy See, His Excellency James Nicholson(left), was invested into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order as a Knight Grand Cross of Merit in a special investiture ceremony held in April 2002 at the American Ambassador's residence in Rome. HRH The Grand Prefect and His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order presided. His Eminence James, Cardinal Stafford, President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity, HE David Garrison, United States Delegate, British and Irish Delegate, Anthony Bailey, and over forty knights and dames of the Order, joined HRH The Duchess of Calabria at the ceremony, which was followed by a reception.

The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, His Excellency Count Jacques de Liedekerke, also attended along with a number of other Vatican, church, diplomatic and Order of Malta officials. Ambassador James Nicholson joins a number of his predecessors who are also members of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order. These include Ambassador William Wilson, Ambassador Thomas Melady and Ambassador Corinne Boggs.

Annual Saint George's Day Mass celebrated in Rome in presence of HRH The Grand Prefect and HMEH The Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Rome - April 2002.

The Grand Prefect and the Duchess of Calabria presided over the 2002 annual Saint George's Day mass and investiture which was held in the Basilica of Saint George in Velabro in central Rome.

HMEH The Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Frà Andrew Bertie(above), HE Count Jacques de Liedekerke, Grand Chancellor and other members of the Sovereign Council attended. His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the dynastic orders and Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Segnatura, celebrated mass. His Eminence Luigi, Cardinal Poggi, also attended.

Among the 27 knights and dames invested into the Sacred Military Constantinian Order were HE Ambassador Signor Giuseppe Balboni Acqua, Chief of Protocol at the Quirinale Palace (Knight Grand Cross of Grace), HE Signor Federico Di Roberto, Ambassador of the Italian Republic to France (Knight Grand Cross of Merit), Dr Gabriele Albertini, Mayor of the City of Milan (Knight Commander of Merit with Star), Prof Umberto Veronesi, former Italian Minister of Health (Knight Commander of Merit with Star), and the Hon Dr Roberto Formigoni, President of the Lombardia region (Knight Commander of Merit with Star).

The British and Irish Delegate, Anthony Bailey, and delegation council member Baron Marco Marrocco Trischitta were present at the ceremony, mass and reception that followed.

Constantinian Order launches with patronage of The President of the Italian Republic and Pope John Paul II the first worldwide campaign for the Prevention and Treatment of Colon Cancer. Rome - March 2002.

The First Meeting on the Prevention and Treatment of Colon Cancer(left) was launched under the high patronage of The President of the Italian Republic, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, the Sacred Military Constantinian Order and the United European Gastroenterology Federation. The campaign aims to support and encourage researchers, increase public awareness of the illness and promote ultimate prevention.

His Eminence Mario Francesco, Cardinal Pompedda, Grand Prior of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order, chaired the Organising Committee. His Holiness Pope John Paul II(left) received the principal participants of the conference in a private audience held at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City.

Nobel Prize winners receive prestigious Constantinian Prize from His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria. Rome - March 2002.

During the meeting, His Royal Highness The Duke of Calabria awarded Nobel Prize winners Prof Renato Dulbecco and Prof Sydney Winawer of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York with the Constantinian Prize and Gold Benemerenti medals. A Constantinian scholarship was granted to Lucia Santuari, M.D., for her research in the Oncology Department of the University of Rome (La Sapienza).

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria support London Symphony Orchestra. London - March 2002.

The Duke and Duchess of Calabria attended a Gala Concert and Dinner on the occasion of the 75th birthday of the legendary maestro, Mstislav Rostropovich at the Barbican Centre in London, at which former British Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher attended(left). The Gala performance was in aid of the London Symphony Orchestra's St Luke's project, which aims to restore an 18th century Hawksmoor church so that it can be used as a LSO music education centre. The Sacred Military Constantinian Order made a substantial donation to this project.

The event was preceded by a private concert and dinner at Buckingham Palace hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales. Among the principal guests were many members of the British Royal Family including Her Majesty The Queen. Foreign guests included TM The King(right) and Queen of Spain, TM The King and Queen of Sweden, TM The King and Queen of the Hellenes, HM Queen Beatrix and HRH Prince Claus of The Netherlands, TRH The Prince and Princess of Orange, HSH Hereditary Prince Albert of Monaco, TRH The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, HE The President of Austria and HE The President of Azerbaijan.

TRH The Duke and Duchess launch new charity initiative for HIV-positive children. Rome - February 2002.

The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George has launched a major new charitable initiative in February 2002 with the National Association against AIDS (ANLAIDS) of the Campania region, and the Association of Wives of Italian Doctors (AMMI) of Naples(left).

The aim of the initiative is to raise much needed funds for the completion, in partnership with the Comune di Napoli, of the first ANLAIDS Family House in the South of Italy for HIV-positive children. The creation of the first Constantinian House will bring together mothers and HIV-positive children, in the Secondigliano district of Naples, who have until now, often been forced to separate from one another.

The first event organised was a charity gala at the Military Air Academy of Pozzuoli. The gala was held under the patronage of TRH The Duke and Duchess of Calabria and was attended by several hundred leading figures from the world of medicine, government, military, business and the church.






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